Messi Wins Award As Best Player At World Cup

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Bastian Schweinsteiger of Germany challenges Lionel Messi of Argentina during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Bastian Schweinsteiger of Germany challenges Lionel Messi of Argentina during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Lionel Messi has received the award for best player of the World Cup, minutes after his Argentina team lost the final 1-0 to Germany.

Messi was selected ahead of Thomas Mueller of Germany and Netherlands forward Arjen Robben by FIFA’s technical study group of coaching analysts.

Germany’s Manuel Neuer collected the best goalkeeper prize.

James Rodriguez of Colombia got the golden boot award as top scorer with six goals. Mueller was second, with five goals.